n that had fouer children, and had Earl Marshall's passe,
12d."

"1635. To a souldier which came to the church on a Sunday, 6d."

"1639. For Mr. Thompson, that preached the forenoone and afternoone, for a
quart of sack, 14d."

"1650. For six quartes of sacke to the ministre that preached, when we had
not a ministere, 9s."

It is to be observed that this was in the _puritanical era_.

"1653. For a primer for a poore boy, 4d."

"1666. For one quarte of sacke, bestowed on Mr. Jellet, when he preached,
2s. 4d."

"1684. To the parson's order, given to a man both deaf and dumb, being
sent from minister to minister to London, 6d.--To Mr. Bell, with a letter
from London with the names of the Royal Family, 6d."

This is a curious item; for it shows that the Mercuries, diurnals, and
intelligencers of the day, were not deemed sufficient for satisfactorily
advertising public events.

"1688. To the ringers on Thanksgiving Day, for the young Prince, in money,
ale, and coals, 7s. 4d."

This must have been for the birth of
the Pretender, of warming-pan celebrity.

"1691. For a pint of brandy, when Mr. George Bell preached here, 1s.
4d.--When the Dean of Durham preached here, spent in a treat with him,
3s. 6d.--For a stranger that preacht, a dozen of ale, 1s."

Thus it plainly appears that church-wardens had a feast jointly with the
minister at the parish expense, at least whenever a stranger preached.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER

"A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles."

SHAKSPEAKE.

* * * * *

STATIONERY LETTER.

( _For the Mirror_.)

TO MR. ----, STATIONER, HOLBORN.

SIR,--Sometime ago I wrote to you to send me a _ream_ of _foolscap_,
which I begged might be sent without delay, as it was for the purpose of
writing out my Christmas bills. I think you must have forgotten me; and
if I do not have the _paper_ soon, I may wear a _fool's-cap_ on account
of not having my bills out in time. Mr. ----, who, in your absence, must
sustain the greatest weight of business, and is, as I may say, the
_Atlas_ of your house, was the person I chiefly depended on. As for
Mr. ----, one of your household, he dresses in _royal purple_, and being
but in a _medium_ way between sickness and health, was drinking
_imperial_ when I saw him, and therefore did not in-_quire_ about the
business; nor did I choose to come _cap_ in _hand_ to a gentlema